UFC 279: Gilbert Burns sees Khamzat Chimaev finishing Nate Diaz early by TKO

Gilbert Burns‘ prognosis for the UFC 279 main event is grim for Nate Diaz.

As a recent opponent of Khamzat Chimaev, who Diaz faces in the pay-per-view headliner, Burns has a first-hand read on the power that the Chechen wolf possesses. Burns, a former welterweight title challenger, claims that doesn’t bode well for Diaz in what will likely be the Stockton native’s final fight under the UFC banner.

By Burns’ estimation, Diaz’s defensive acumen isn’t on the same par as his own. He’s far too easy to hit; and pitted against the raw strength of ‘Borz’, that trait will likely spell an early doom for the 37-year-old.

“I think Chimaev’s gonna destroy him and get a title shot,” Burns told The AllStar in a recent interview.

“He gets hit a lot. He has a good chin, but I think if Chimaev comes putting on good pressure, takes him down, crazy ground and pound – eventually, he’s gonna get a TKO in the first, second, maybe the third round. That’s how I see the fight going.”

The Brazilian doesn’t imagine the looming clash will look anything like his own with the surging welterweight in April of this year. Chimaev probably won’t fight Diaz in the same way, Burns said.

“I don’t think Nate Diaz possesses the traits that I possess. I don’t think he hits that hard, I don’t think his jiujitsu is that good, I don’t think his takedown defence is that good. I think his cardio is great, but besides that, I don’t think he’s great. I think he has good grappling, but not as good takedown defense.

“Maybe, I don’t know, maybe Nate Diaz can kinda get through those first three rounds, like embracing the storm, and then he’s kinda surviving and going fourth or fifth round, and then maybe do a little bit like he did in the Leon Edwards fight; but I don’t see it.”

The UFC have clearly stacked the odds in their favor with this pairing, Burns believes. With a win, Chimaev’s star power receives even more of a boost, he puts himself in line for a title shot, Nate Diaz gets sent packing off of a loss, and millions of dollars are made as a by-product.

It doesn’t get any better from a promoter’s standpoint.

“I think a lot of people are gonna tune in to watch, they’re gonna make a bunch of money selling this pay-per-view, Khamzat is gonna get a good win and he’s gonna get a title shot next. I think it’s a win-win for the UFC,” Burns said.

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Fighter profile

Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev is a 28 year old male fighter from Sweden with 11 pro wins and 0 losses. Chimaev is scheduled to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz on Saturday September 10, 2022.

Khamzat Chimaev’s recent form coming into this matchup

Khamzat Chimaev has gone 5-0 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Win vs Gilbert Burns • Decision R3 5:00 • 2022-04-09
• Win vs Jingliang Li • Submission R1 3:16 • 2021-10-30
• Win vs Gerald Meerschaert • KO/TKO R1 0:17 • 2020-09-19
• Win vs Rhys McKee • KO/TKO R1 3:09 • 2020-07-25
• Win vs John Phillips • Submission R2 1:12 • 2020-07-15

Khamzat Chimaev’s next opponent: Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz’s recent form coming into this matchup

Nate Diaz is a 37 year old male fighter from United States with 20 pro wins and 13 losses. Diaz is scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279: Chimaev vs. Diaz on Saturday September 10, 2022.

Nate Diaz has gone 2-3 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.

• Loss vs Leon Edwards • Decision R5 5:00 • 2021-06-12
• Loss vs Jorge Masvidal • KO/TKO R3 5:00 • 2019-11-02
• Win vs Anthony Pettis • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-08-17
• Loss vs Conor McGregor • Decision R5 5:00 • 2016-08-20
• Win vs Conor McGregor • Submission R2 4:12 • 2016-03-05

How to watch and bet on Khamzat Chimaev vs Nate Diaz

Keep track of all the latest odds and line-movements at our bout page for this matchup.